African Heads of State, U.S. Delegates to Convene in Arusha, Tanzania June 2-6
Ethiopian Airlines today was named the official carrier for the 2008 Leon H. Sullivan Summit. The airline will bring two 767 jetliners from Washington, D.C. to Arusha, Tanzania for the Summit, which takes place June 2 – 6, 2008. Although the planes will depart from Dulles International Airport on two separate dates (May 28 and May 30), both flights will arrive in Arusha on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Delegates taking the May 28, 2008 flight will make a two-night visit in Ethiopia's magnificent capital city of Addis Ababa. The May 30, 2008 flight will make a one-night visit to tropical Zanzibar.
"The 2008 Summit marks the first time we are hosting the event in an East African country. It is only fitting that an East African airline such as Ethiopian Airlines embarks on this journey with us," stated Hope Masters, President and CEO of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation and Convener of the Summit. "Many will be seeing Africa for the first time and I am proud that Ethiopian Airlines will not only be the captains of this voyage, but participants in the experience."
As the official carrier for the Summit, Ethiopian Airlines will be recognized in national and international Summit publicity efforts before and during the conference. This includes advertising banners that will run on web sites for both the Africa Channel (www.theafricachannel.com) and AllAfrica (allafrica.com). The airline also will be showcased in the regional media campaign currently underway in Tanzania and other countries in East Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines, www.ethiopianairlines.com , is one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa. The airline currently serves 50 destinations around the globe, 30 of which are in Africa. The addition of services to Kuwait and Riyadh will bring the total number of the Airline's international destinations to 52. Ethiopian also plans to be the first carrier to operate the Dreamliner-B787 in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Inspired by the life and principles of Leon H. Sullivan, The Sullivan Summits are organized by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation with the goal of highlighting key issues, stimulating discussion, defining best practices, identifying new opportunities, promoting private enterprise and fostering high-level strategic partnerships.
Notables who have participated in past Summits have included U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, General Colin Powell, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, Dorothy Height and the late Coretta Scott King. Celebrities including Chris Tucker, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Cicely Tyson and Dick Gregory also have attended past Summits. For more information, visit www.thesullivanfoundation.org/summit .
Press Invitation:
Ethiopian Airlines would like to invite all press representatives to meet the delegation prior to the flights on Wednesday, May 28th and Friday, May 30th at a special reception at Washington Dulles International Airport. Please contact Marian Wargo at 410-224-7688 for more information.
About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Africa, as winner of the 2007 African Business of the Year and Best African Airline Award for 2006 service and quality are superior when flying Ethiopian Airlines. Featuring five flights weekly from Washington D.C.'s Dulles International Airport, the airline offers both morning and evening departures, with the morning departure allowing seamless connections to 29 African destinations. The airline's web site provides excellent information on additional flights services and special web fares. Ethiopian Airlines provides seamless connections to 50 destinations around the globe. For more information about Ethiopian Airlines, visit www.seeyouinethiopia.com.
